nduru

hers are paradise-measured steps
an escalation of the clan’s delight
in a sitting duck of the stream-lets;
& maidens awaken by the twilight
virgins of niger’s hidden chambers
meeting with ancient praise-singers;
“nduru has arrived! nduru is here!”
the echo of the clan’s piper rings
“o, she’s come! o, she’s here!”
seems with her a new life springs!
she: a clan’s fair-haired & elegant bird
with a retinue of songsters furtive & weird.